The part of an American football field between the opponent’s 20-yard line and end zone is called the red zone.
The red zone is an unofficial but widely used football term for the final 20 yards before the goal line. It applies to both ends of the field, depending on which team has possession. An offense entering this area is close enough to score a touchdown, so announcers, coaches, and statisticians track red-zone performance closely.
The field itself is not normally painted red. The name is a metaphor suggesting danger for the defense and urgency for the offense. Once a team reaches the red zone, the available space becomes more compressed: the defense has less field to cover deep, while the offense must adjust routes, formations, and play selection.
Red-zone statistics often include touchdowns and field goals, but “red zone” is not the same as the end zone. The end zone is the 10-yard scoring area beyond the goal line. The red zone begins at the opponent’s 20-yard line and extends to that goal line, including the area immediately before the end zone.